How to impress a flight attendant

[spudseamus]

Bossreggie you are welcome at my camp fire any time !

 

[Greggsy]

"When I asked her why, her simple answer remains with me to this day. it's "because they may have had some people be rude to them today, so I'm going to make sure they know at least someone thanks them"

I gave a box of choccies to the cabin crew during the Alan Joyce QF lockout late last year, because I knew they would be copping the brunt of the travellers frustrations and anger. I thought it was well deserved as the FA's had finished their EBA months prior to the action.

They (Male & Female crew) loved it and couldn't be thankful enough throughout the flight.

Greg.

 

[dfcatch]

Bossreggie - random acts of generosity and kindness are never misplaced.

I have no doubt that every FA on the receiving end of your gifts appreciates it

 

[Shelf]

I treat the FA's the same as i treat anyone else, with respect. "please" "thankyou" seem to go a long way (as does removing my headphones when i see the FA approaching)

 

[harvyk]

Sorry, but why do we need to impress them? I agree that manners and common courtesy are essential, just like dealing with anyone else in a service industry and that exceptional service should be rewarded by way of compliments, feedback and possibly gifts but they are there to perform a job for which the passengers are paying for. They are serving the passengers, there should be a book about how to impress passengers, not the other way around, particularly in premium cabins. Passengers don't pay thousands of dollars for premium tickets to then be expected to remember all the crews names and engage in intellectual conversation about the origins of the wine with their meal.

I work in a role where I have clients but I would never present them with a list of 'ways to impress me' - I am paid handsomely to impress them (and this then funds the travel) and I enjoy doing it.

Because for the most part all the article is asking for is some not so common manners, and I've found a good number of pax seem to be missing them (thus the reason they are not so common).

For some reason me doing some of those things means that my ratio of good vs bad flights is far more weighted in the good compared to most people I've spoken to about such things. (Out of hundreds of flights I can probably count the number of ordinary or bad flights on one hand)

All I do different is actually take the time to thank FA's when they do things for me, and make any requests a question rather than a demand. As a result I've been treated very well in return, from been given J meals in Y, to having the FA call button resulting in an FA coming to see me straight away and returning with my drink in a very short amount of time, and often way before the previous person who simply barked "get me a drink" at them.

 

[beardoc]

Now, the question - what sort of chocolates do you buy an FA?

 

[Greggsy]

Now, the question - what sort of chocolates do you buy an FA?

I got mine from the SYD choccie shop within the terminal. About $15 if I recall correctly.


Greg.

Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[juddles]

....So..... I have given the chocolates, been very polite, treated with respect, smiled, and despite the fact I travel in the premium cabins now...... NEVER forgotten where it is I come from....

Boss Reggie, I only jump on this forum occassionally. I will be very frank and state I dont know who you are, and I had formed a certain unflattering opinion from some of the few posts of yours I had read. But this one post of yours I refer to above has changed my view.

Good on you. Cream rises.

Cheers.

 

[bossreggie]

Now, the question - what sort of chocolates do you buy an FA?

As I do this every single time I fly.... I have the housekeeper stock up when she is doing the shopping. I have a preference for Lindt dessert chocolates, however sometimes they are Guylian. I am not sure how much they cost but she usually gets about 20 - 30 boxes at a time and I give the medium size. I think around 20 - 30 chocolates per box.

O/T.... I don't actually eat chocolates as I have a nut allergy.

 

[Greggsy]

How many does the housekeeper claim for herself?


Greg.

Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[bossreggie]

How many does the housekeeper claim for herself?


Greg.

You have a point....... ;-)

 

[parsonstrish]

For a period of time I had wanted to give chocolates when I travel, especially long haul international and domestic while o/seas. Just my way of saying I appreciate the work you provide.

I was unsure where to buy the chocolates, if I bought prior to security would I get them through etc. Then I read a post by BossRegie talking about his giving of chocolates. PM him and asked my ?'s and he graciously gave me answers I needed.

So on my last int'l trip I gained the confidence that I now had the knowledge what to do.

I was absolutely amazed at the responses I was given by the fa's. I made sure I gave enough for pilot crew. One of the flights, either the Cpt. or first officer (unsure of terminology) came and thanked me.

I had no idea such a simple gesture would mean so much.

I did not do it to receive anything in return, I'm one of those folk who appreciate service I receive and show it in some manner, verbal or gifts.

I generally bought the candy at duty free but trip prior to returning to Oz. I bought a selection of american candy at supermarket.

I found it a lovely thing.

 

[straitman]

We could be starting a move toward overweight FAs in the future.

 

[Moody]

I tell the flight crew when I board that I was going to buy them all some special chocolates from ALDI, but instead I decided to sponsor a child through World Vision. I'm pretty sure they spat in my coffee once because they definitely don't have cappuccino machines on board.


Sorry about the above, but I don't do sycophancy.

 

[bossreggie]

Sorry about the above, but I don't do sycophancy.

One does not have to be a sycophant when doing something pleasant for another person. Possibly it can be done just because you are a decent human being. YMMV and enjoy shopping at Aldi and sponsoring children.

 

[JohnM]

BR, at what stage of the flight do you make the presentation, to which FA and how do you gently point out how widely they are to be shared?

 

[bossreggie]

BR, at what stage of the flight do you make the presentation, to which FA and how do you gently point out how widely they are to be shared?

I give them just after I board. I'm in row 1 so generally I hand them to the FA who gives me my pre-flight beverage.

As to the sharing... Given the number of FA's from other cabins who come by and say thanks... I think it is safe to say they are shared around.

 

[beardoc]

I give them just after I board. I'm in row 1 so generally I hand them to the FA who gives me my pre-flight beverage.

As to the sharing... Given the number of FA's from other cabins who come by and say thanks... I think it is safe to say they are shared around.

The interesting thing is the protocol of someone that isn't in the premium class does this, as you often don't have contact with staff pre-takeoff.

 

[Katie]

The interesting thing is the protocol of someone that isn't in the premium class does this, as you often don't have contact with staff pre-takeoff.

I have walked up to the galley to give chocs before takeoff. I have also randomly grabbed an FA (their attention, not their person!) as they walk by, as I'm always in an aisle.

 

[skywalkerLAX]

Diet Coke is all I drink on board apart from water and hot chocolate (on internationals) and I have always just been handed the can in whY. In F of course they pour it for me.

A part from the excessive fizziness I hope they appreciate the fact that I wont be the obnoxious drunk giving them grief later in the flight.

Oh and I did the chocolates bit for all the staff on board last Christmas Eve. Went down a real treat with a small (two shell) box for each person including the Captain and FO.

I also left a large box at the QF Business lounge after I checked in, they too were very appreciative.
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Some FAs try to stunt something like the EK Arabic Coffee ceremony when simply pouring softdrinks... No wonder they have trouble!